Supporting individuals in an organized way is the hallmark of a civilized society. However, it is common to see individuals providing money to the needy, going out on the streets seeking alms. This approach only serves as a quick fix solution; and fails to tackle the underlying issues these individuals face in a sustainable manner.
Institutionalized and structured approaches, such as providing shelter, food and the like support are the best mechanisms to address the challenges of the needy people. With this in mind, several philanthropist individuals and non-governmental organizations are dedicatedly working to combat poverty in a sustainable and structured manner.
Sr. Zebider Zewde, Founder and Executive Director of Mary Joy Ethiopia, is one in this regard. Her organization, Mary Joy Ethiopia, has been diligently working for over 31 years to empower vulnerable and underserved community groups through comprehensive development initiatives.
“We, Ethiopians have a long-standing culture of sharing. This is a good culture that we are well-known and proud. However, this practice has its own limitations as many people tend to prefer providing help on an individual level to supporting those in need through institutional efforts,” she said.
Her leadership at Mary Joy Ethiopia has testified this truth. “Many individual tend to extend a helping hand directly to those beggars on the streets to rather than supporting the institutions engaged in charitable work. Mentioning the recent decision to terminate USAID’s support and the impacts it inflicted on her local NGO which used to receive from this relief organization, Zebider said, children and elders who used to benefit from Mary Joy are now in need of local help. In this regard, supporting those needy people needs an active involvement of every Ethiopian. Promoting a culture of sharing and supporting the less fortunate not only addresses immediate needs but also contributes to the overall welfare and development of society.
Zebider said that as part of creating awareness among the society and raising funds for the needy, a great run that covered 5km was held here in Addis last Sunday, April 6, 2025. On the day, several people including athletes and other influential individuals participated.
Supporting needy individuals on the street is a commendable act of generosity and compassion that reflects the very essence of humanity. However, while this kind of donation offers immediate relief to people in need, it would not bring sustainable results. Thus, extending assistance to organized institutions and non-governmental organizations working in Ethiopia focusing on addressing the challenges of needy can bring about a more sustainable change and great Impact.
As the experience of some local charity organizations demonstrated, engaging in charitable institutions with established systems has several advantages. This is because of the fact that institutions with better infrastructure, expertise and resources are in positions to effectively address complex social issues than the offerings given simply to the needy individually. Using their resources and expertise, these institutions will exert their effort and capital to the targeted group based on their needs.
For instance, some needy people may not require clothing but prioritize health related support instead. In such circumstances, proper allocation of resources will not only save institutions money, but also saves lives. In this regard, whenever people think of supporting the needy, they must consider stretching their hands via established institutions.
Ethiopians have an age-old culture of helping each other, says Commander Athlete Elfenesh Alemu. In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Elfenesh said, this culture should be preserved. Standing at the side of the needy has moral reward.
“Helping the poor is not always about money or material goods; what it needs is compassion. Sharing what we have with those in need is not an option, but it is the moral obligation of every citizen. This is a lesson what I learned in my life. God blesses individuals to be an instrument of supporting others; not to hoard their resources. We all human kinds are created to be God`s invisible hands to helping those around us and lessen their burden in every possible way. We can simply witness how this principle works by observing children and elderly citizens who are always generous enough to give what they have; but never lack anything. This serves as a good indication that man is born with humility and compassion.”
Commander Elfenesh also said that there are several orphans and elderly people who need our help. They are our responsibilities. We should not always expect charity organizations or any other institution in charge of helping the needy to help the poor. “We should show sympathy towards them by discharging our moral obligation. Some individual have a wrong perception about sharing. They think that sharing must be done from the extra we have; which is totally wrong. Supporting others is from what we have. This is what we learned from our families and neighbors. I was born and grew up in the rural part of the country where the community has a strong culture of sharing. I grew up witnessing neighbors sharing whatever they have unconditionally. This has a lasting impact on me.”
Mary Jafar is an author of several children’s` books. When asked about the concept of sharing, she said that giving is all about receiving. “We receive in accordance with what we give to others. This is how this universe works and I literally experience this reality in the literature world. Every writer is a giver. He/she gives for others freely in the form of book, novel or any literary work to his/her readers. In response, he/she receives financial rewards. This principle also applies to sharing with elders and children.”
According to her, we share to people not from the extra we have. That does not explain love at its best. We must experience love by sharing what we have. “We Ethiopians have a good culture of sharing to the needy. This culture must be preserved and shared to the coming generation.”
For Mary, supporting elderly citizens and orphaned children is supporting oneself. This is a moral obligation that everyone should discharge without any eternal pressure. These are the most helpless but the most important members of the society. When we give our money and time to these members of the society we are supporting the whole nation.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 APRIL 2025
